..[SNIP]...The plan is led by a consortium established jointly by the South Florida Regional Planning Council and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council and is funded by a $4.25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Some 200 public agencies, advocates, business and academic groups are involved, including county and city planners, elected officials, major universities and chambers of commerce.

..[SNIP]..HUD has issued similar grants to 45 U.S. regions in an effort to get more bang for its economic development dollars as federal outlays shrink amid increasing demand. HUD wants to focus its funding on places with smart strategic plans that can best take advantage of the money.

The project builds on a new body of research suggesting that the world economy will be increasingly driven by such super- or mega-regions, especially those with the most efficient transportation systems, diversified businesses, cultural assets and skilled workforces.

The Southeast Florida super-region, Dover said, is poised to become one of the most important in the world given its sea and air ports, its growing and diverse population and its international trade connections.

But it also must grapple with obvious problems. Among those enumerated by summit participants: inadequate mass transit, threats to the Everglades and the regions water quality and supply, subpar public schools and an economy overly dependent on tourism and real-estate development.

And hanging over its future are the uncertain perils posed by sea-level rise, which Pierce, the keynote speaker, described as ominous and terrifying. New studies say that much of the southern end of Florida could be under water by the end of the century.

Though organizers havent endorsed any particular approach, and said theyre reluctant to apply any labels to the effort, much of what emerged from Wednesdays preliminary discussions fell broadly within the tenets of so-called smart growth  channeling growth away from natural areas and into urban centers.

That doesnt mean suburban development doesnt fit in, organizers said. But Rutgers University urban economist Bob Burchell told the conclave that demographic change by itself will sharply reduce demand for suburban homes in coming years as Baby Boomers retire and die. Younger generations may not have the income or need to buy those homes, he said, noting that projections show that 74 percent of all U.S. households will not have children, by 2040.

To develop the plan, which is due into U.S. HUD in 2014, organizers will formalize six working groups to develop goals around key issues, including transportation, economic development, education and environment. The groups will report back at the next summit in January. The plan, including a strategy for implementing key recommendations, will be refined at two later summits. Big ideas floated Wednesday included establishing a super-regional rail transportation system, and promoting the creation of alluring, liveable places and walkable urban centers, especially in sprawling suburbs  what project consultant Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, dean of the University of Miami architecture school and a renown planner, called sprawl repair.

You should note...hidden in the whole announcement...is this comment of “big-rail”, which means a massive amount of money will be demanded somewhere down the line and the public will wake up to this demand for more cash and taxation.

I would also imagine that various groups of well-to-do real estate speculators have gotten the right tracks of property under their ownership. Within ten years, they will all triple their money easily, if the plan goes forward.

Though organizers havent endorsed any particular approach, and said theyre reluctant to apply any labels to the effort, much of what emerged from Wednesdays preliminary discussions fell broadly within the tenets of so-called smart growth  channeling growth away from natural areas and into urban centers.

They want to herd the proletariat into inner city ghettos, which leaves the “suburbs” free of undesirables, and open up lots of free space for the ruling class to build their walled dachas, safely away from the restive rabble.

5
posted on 06/28/2012 2:47:41 AM PDT
by Fresh Wind
('People have got to know whether or not their president is a crook.' Richard M. Nixon)

The planning masterminds have it all figured out. Where you are going to live, the time you get up, your morning exercises, your breakfast, when and where you go to work, how you get there, lunch, dinner, what you see on the news, your evening entertainment, and the time you go to bed. All planned by masterminds who have nothing but your best interests at heart. Life will be one big luxury cruise. Except you can’t get off the boat.

Thisfrom the folks who have brought us seventy years of unsustainable social programs.

Good point.

I guess they think there is a bottomless pile of money out there so we can not only have free welfare cards (usable for any purchase or at any casino) for everyone but also a light rail stop at every home.

12
posted on 06/28/2012 4:41:55 AM PDT
by Right Wing Assault
(Dick Obama is more inexperienced now than he was before he was elected.)

You are on the money with the developer comment...it is the I’ve got mine and NIMBY concepts amalgamated.

As an aside, I was watching CSI Miama reruns the other evening when I said to my wife, gee, Miami looks so wonderful on this show....pristine beaches, everyone living in a castle most with docked boats, the best of automobiles, wonderful clubs and bimbos galore. The truth is another matter.

13
posted on 06/28/2012 4:52:00 AM PDT
by Mouton
(Voting is an opiate of the electorate. Nothing changes no matter who wins..)

Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.